Illinois tops No. 21 Penn State, 27-20

Saturday

Sep 29, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 29, 2007 at 1:32 PM

Illinois football is fun again. Benn returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and broke through tackles on a 29-yard touchdown reception to lead Illinois to a 27-20 victory over No. 21 Penn State Saturday before a sold out crowd at Memorial Stadium.

Thanks to Benn and playmakers brought here by coach Ron Zook, Illinois football is fun again. Benn returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and broke through tackles on a 29-yard touchdown reception to lead Illinois to a 27-20 victory over No. 21 Penn State Saturday before a sold out crowd at Memorial Stadium.

Illinois defeated a top 25 team for the first time since 2001 and snapped a 19-game losing streak to ranked teams. After winning eight games over the last four years combined, the Illini opened the Big Ten Conference season with two wins for the first time since 1991.

Illinois improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the league heading into a home game against No. 9 Wisconsin next Saturday. Perhaps it's time to think about a big bowl berth rather than just any bowl. A spot in the top 25?

"I'd vote for us,'' said Illini linebacker J. Leman. "I think we can play with anybody in the country.''

OK, so the adrenalin was flowing for Leman, but Illinois provided hard data that the rebuild is quite possibly ahead of schedule under Zook. Remember, the Nittany Lions roughed up the Illini on national TV in a blowout loss two years ago that was the low-water mark in Illinois football.

Penn State beat Illinois "by a million'' said linebacker Brit Miller. It was actually 53 points, although, honestly, it felt like a million.

"I'm so proud of them that they've come this far,'' Zook said. "Two years ago, that was the low point. We can honestly say we made progress.''

Illinois' defense came up with three second-half interceptions to make up for an Illini offense that compiled 137 yards and just five first downs after halftime.

Senior safety Kevin Mitchell's interception at the Penn State 9-yard line with 9 seconds left started the euphoria that didn't end until the Illini celebrated with the Block I in the north end zone grandstand. The Illini sang the Illinois Loyalty, and reserve quarterback Eddie McGee served as impromptu conductor.

While Illini quarterback Juice Williams played his way to the sidelines in the fourth quarter, Benn scored the first touchdowns in his college career and elevated his status from promising freshman to talented playmaker.

"I wouldn't say I'm the face of the team,'' said Benn. "Not yet.''

After taking a 3-0 lead on the game's first possession, Penn State kicked off to Benn, who raced up the middle. Only one player touched him as he flashed toward the Block I in the north end zone.

"He finally burst through the wall by getting into the end zone on the kickoff return,'' said Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. "I said, 'Let's build on this.' ''

In the second quarter, Benn caught a short slant, powered his way though four or five defenders and left them grasping his for his jersey for his second touchdown and a 21-10 lead.

"The goal is to get it into the hands of a guy who can make a play,'' Locksley said. "That's why Rejus is here. It's exciting to see him make that play. He's been close over the last couple games. It was nice to see him break through.''

Said Benn: "I felt them bouncing off. My strength, power, explosiveness and speed let me take it to the house.''

Benn finished with eight catches for 84 yards, both career highs.

The Illini went with McGee, the freshman second-string quarterback, in the fourth quarter after Williams was 0-for-5 passing with an interception in the second half.

The Illini had only one first down in the final four possessions with Williams at quarterback.

"Right now, I would imagine Juice would start against Wisconsin,'' Zook said. "I want to look at the tape and make sure Juice is like I think he would be.''

On his fifth snap, McGee ran the option and gained 53 yards. The play set up a 33-yard field goal for a 27-20 lead with 7:00 remaining.

Penn State (3-2, 0-2) reached the red zone four times in the second half but scored only three points. Leman and cornerback Vontae Davis also came up with interceptions. Penn State quarterback Anthony Morelli scrambled close to a first down at the Illinois 9 with 2:12 left, but his fumble bounced behind the first down marker and gave Illinois possession.

Penn State lost its second straight game. In a turnaround from two years ago, coach Joe Paterno was asked where his program stood.

"I don't have the slightest idea,'' he said. "I'm going to have to go back and look at the tapes, spend some time with the players and staff and go from there.''

The Illini covered some ground from that loss two years ago.

Notes

Washington (D.C.) Dunbar coach Craig Jeffries attended the game and held up a Dunbar football jersey in the postgame celebration. Benn and Davis graduated from Dunbar. . . Illinois beat a ranked Big Ten opponent at home since beating No. 11 Ohio State in 1991. . . The sellout was Illinois' first since Sept. 28, 2002 against Michigan.

John Supinie can be reached at Johnsupinie@aol.com. For more Illini coverage, see the Illini Talk blog at www.sj-r.com and www.pjstar.com.

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